Montessori Children’s House of
North Barrington

The uniqueness of our outdoor area and our Nature Explore Classroom continues to be a highlight for our school.

The children use the Outdoor Classroom daily celebrating the wonders that the space provides. The Outdoor Classroom continues to be maintained as an extension of the indoor environment and is a significant point of attraction for all our students, their families and prospective students and families visiting our school.

To better utilize the Nature Art area it has been moved from the grassy area to the brick area adjacent to the school building. This allows the area to be used even after a heavy period of rain. Additional tables with seating have also been added to the area.

The Outdoor Classroom has been enhanced with additional materials purchased from fundraising events organized by the school’s parent committee. A tire swing has been added to our play structure/Climbing Area and parent constructed balance beams add additional movement activities to our Movement Area. Outlast Building materials have also been added to the Building Area. And lastly, we have added two bat houses inviting bats to our Outdoor Classroom.

School families continue to support the use of the outdoor environment through annual fundraising efforts and participation during our Family Garden Days. Parents join together in caring for and beautifying our outdoor space each fall and spring. In spring the vegetable garden is prepared and seedlings planted with the hopes of enjoying a selection of vegetables during the summer. Mulch is spread throughout the playground and plant beds and fall and spring clean-ups are all part of the parent and child activities. The additional variety of bird feeders is a special attraction for native birds of Illinois that frequent the feeders. The feeders and bird bath of the bird and butterfly garden are all maintained by the children.

In the words of Maria Montessori:

“There must be provision for the child to have contact with nature, to understand and appreciate the order, the harmony and the beauty in nature… so that the child may better understand and participate in the marvelous things which civilization creates.”

Excerpt taken from The Secret Of Childhood by Maria Montessori

The children enjoy and reap the benefits of being one with nature creating an appreciation and respect for all living creatures from the trees to the smallest animals that inhabit our beautiful Nature Explore Classroom.